alcohol abuse

According to a new survey from Caron Treatment Centers, 88 percent of women drink alcohol at home (as opposed to bars), and 70 percent have driven while under the influence. Meanwhile, 44 percent admitted to abusing prescription drugs (opiates and benzodiazepines). And 74 percent of the survey respondents are also mothers—which means that the majority are caring for kids too. The top five reasons for imbibing? Stress or anxiety; romantic relationships; pressure from family or friends; traumatic experience; and just plain boredom. But there's so much more to the story. Here, Colleen, a mother who went through a rehabilitation program at Caron, tells what it's like to be an alcoholic and a mom—and what her life is like now that she's stopped drinking. (Semi-spoiler: Caron's survey also found that 83 percent of moms experienced more emotional closeness with their children after they stopped abusing alcohol and/or drugs!) As the mom to two little kids who also spends a lot of time working (and not enough sleeping), I can understand why another mom might feel the need to escape or relax with alcohol. But tell us why you felt you needed to drink. How did the process happen for you? Was read more

Despite our best intentions, we might occasionally wake up feeling less than spectacular because of the number of cocktails we might have had at the celebration the night before. And, amongst the various hangover helpers, there's one that pops up time and time again: exercise! But does it really work? After all, when you're feeling exhausted, headachey, and—ugh—maybe even pukey, "working out" may not rank high on the to-do list. But according to Aaron Michelfelder, a family physician from Loyola University Health System, a short, sweet, gentle workout is exactly what your body needs. Your body gets rid of the byproducts of alcohol in four ways: sweating, breathing, via the liver, or via the kidneys. It's the "sweating" and "breathing" you're aiming for with exercise. Plus, the rush of endorphins will lift some of the gunky feelings of your hangover—at least temporarily. Just remember to down lots of water, because working out while dehydrated is never a good thing (it could raise your risk of heat stroke or passing out). Obviously, it's best to not get a hangover in the first place (here are some ways to avoid it). But if it happens, it's always good to have a handy read more

A lot of us go out for a cocktail or two with our friends every once in a while—and that's all A-OK. It's just that there are people who end up not eating at all, in order to "save" calories for alcohol. Experts call this kind of thing "drunkorexia"—and it's getting more popular. Why, though? Dr. Harris Stratyner, vice president of Caron Treatment Centers and the New York regional clinical director, says that so many women are concerned about gaining weight, they'd rather forgo food in order to cut down on calorie consumption. "Alcohol is filled with very high, empty calories," he says. "Many times women choose to drink alcohol when they go out because it may initially reduce their social anxiety and even make them feel more accepted by their peers. There's nothing wrong with drinking in moderation on a full stomach. However, there is never a safe way to binge drink—whether alcohol is lower calorie or not." Not eating is hard on your body—and so is not eating before drinking. While high in calories, alcohol has zero redeeming nutrients or vitamins. Plus, you'll find yourself getting drunk super fast...which can lead to other health problems. "For many people, read more